St James Catholic Church

We celebrated Epiphany two Sundays ago, but each of the Gospels since then has also featured epiphanies. An epiphany is a sudden manifestation or revelation of something that had been unknown, as in when the magi found the newborn king in a humble stable. But another occurred at Jesus’ baptism, which we heard last week, when the Father’s voice was heard saying, “you are my beloved Son.” And today we hear the first of his miracles, which opened the eyes of his disciples to his power and glory. As we begin the year, we recall how Jesus was revealed again and again as the Son of God.

This account of Jesus changing water into wine is found only in John’s Gospel. John referred to Jesus’ miracles as signs, as a way for him to reveal his glory and a way for those who observe them to receive the gift of faith. But transforming water into wine was much more than a way to ensure that wine would not run out at this couple’s wedding banquet. It foreshadows one of his final signs which he performs at the Last Supper, when he transforms bread into his Body and wine into his Blood. By commanding the disciples to continue to do this in his memory, he ensures that it is his Blood that we receive at the Eucharistic banquet each time the Eucharist is celebrated. Just as the joy of the guests at the wedding banquet in Cana was not allowed to run out, the joy we share at the Eucharistic banquet will also last forever.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins January 18 through 25. The 18th is the feast of the Confession of Peter, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God” and concludes on the 25th, which is the Feast of the Conversion of Paul. The theme this year is (John 11:26) “Do you believe this?” The year 2025 will mark the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council. The commemoration during this Holy Year provides a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians as expressed in the Creed formulated at the Nicaea Council.